Tinker's Cave, Wick

Tinker's Cave, Wick

ID: CAITHHORZ_CAIMS_PHO333 DESCRIPTION: Cave-dwelling was common among travelling people until the 19th century. Some caves in Britain were occupied until the 20th century. In 1915 cave-dwelling was prohibited under the Defence of the Realm Act, possibly because fires could attract enemy submarines. However, this was only partially successful as there were still cave-dwellers listed in the next census. The Tinker's Cave near Wick was occupied throughout the 19th century. In 1866 Dr Arthur Mitchell recorded twenty four people living in the cave. A cave as big as the one at Wick would have housed several families each would have had their own hearth. This suggests the analogy that cave dwelling was not dissimilar to tenement living. This image may be available to purchase. For further information please email us PLACENAME: Wick DISTRICT: Caithness - Eastern OLD COUNTY/PARISH: CAITHNESS: Wick SOURCE: North Coast Visitor Centre COLLECTION: Caithness Horizons Asset ID: 849 KEYWORDS: